Electric switch



July 22, 1930. w, 'GQQDRIDGE 1,771,329

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 25, 25

INVENTOR I GILBERT N. GOODRIDGE ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 22, 1930 unites stares "PA-TEN GILBERT w. GOODRIDGE, 0E FAIRFIELD, connncricu'r, AssIenoETo THE BRYANT V ELECTRIC COMPANY, 0E BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION or CONNECT- IGUT ELECTRIC swrron Application filed June 25,

My invention relates to electric switches, and particularly to. rotary snap switches. The object of my invention is to provide an improved drive connection between the switch handle and the switch spindle.

In the accompanying drawings Fig, 1 is a broken side elevation of a rotary snap switch to which my invention is applied in one form;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial elevation of the spindle showing a driving dog and its retainer; and

Fig. 1- is a detached perspective of these parts prior to assembly on the spindle.

The particular construction of the switch and of the handle do not enter into my invention, and need not be described in detail. It suffices to point out that the switch illustrated comprises the usual insulating base 15, upon which the switch mechanism is mounted and enclosed by the switch cover 16. The spindle rises through the cover 16' and is actuated by a handle 17 which, in the form shown, corresponds to that illustrated in the copending application of Carl E. Anderson Ser. No.

739,891, filed September 25, 1924, which application has become Patent No. 1,657,837. The driving engagement between the handle and spindle is effected through a driving dog 18 which is secured against rotation on the spindle 19 and is received in an appropriate recess 20 in the handle 17 when the parts are assembled, for example by means of a screw ferrule 21 carried by the handle and engaging the threaded end 22 of the spindle.

The torsion strains exerted by the handle incident to the operation of the switch are transmitted to the spindle through the dog 18 and are consequently imposed primarily upon the latter. It is desirable to reinforce the dog against these strains, whichtend to rupture it, and my invention not only accomplishes this desirable end, but also simplifies the attachment of the dog to the spindle.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 4:, the driving. dog 18 isoifset from its enlarged base 28, and the latter is slotted or bifurcated at 24 to engage the slabbed area 25 of the spindle to establish a drive connection with the latter.

1925.. Serial m. 33,545.

In order to retain thedog in position on the spindle, I provide a retaining stirrup 26 adapted to embrace the spindle and dog, thus reventing'lateral escape of the base23 from the spindle. Preferably the stirrup is split at that when the hooked ends 32 and 33 of the legs. are brought together beyond the outer Te C w face of the dog 18, the latter is snugly held between thelegs 28 and 29, while the hooked ends 32 and 33 prevent the lateralescape of the/base 2st from the spindle. The slabbed area 25 on the sp'indle19 is of a widthsubstantially corresponding .to the combined thickness of "the base 23'ofthe'driving. dog

and the stirrup 26. Consequently, when the parts are adjusted upon the spindle they are held against longitudinal displacement thereon" as well as against' lateral escape therefrom by the shoulders afforded by the ends of the flatted: portion 25.

Before assembly the legsj28 and 29 of the stirrup 26 are sufiiciently spreadto permit the stirrup to be passed laterally onto the spindle into such position that the hooked ends32 and may lac-closed together beyond the outer face of the dog 18. In this positionthe stirrup not only serves as a retainer for the base of the dog but ai'soas reinforcement of the dog18 itself, so that it is better able to withstand without injury the torsion strains imposed upon it on actuation of the switch.

Various modifications will occur to those dealing with the problem which do not depart from what I claim as my invention. The construction has two aspectsfirst, as a re tainer for the driving dog, and second, as a reinforcer therefor. It would, for example, be possible to use the stirrup only as a retainer, in which case it need not be split, but might be slipped down over the end of the spindle and dog, embracing both, and thus holding the dog upon the spindle. It would of course be possible to split the stirrup at its opposite end and close it upon the spindle instead of upon the dog. Various other modifications will readily occur to those dealing with the construction.

I claim as my invention 1. In a rotary switch, a spindle, a driving 5 dog at the side of the spindle and substantially parallel thereto having an offset bifurcated base adapted to effect a drive engagement with the spindle, and means engaging the dog and spindle to hold the said base of the dog in engagement with the spindle.

2-. In arotary switch, a flattened spindle, a driving dog substantially parallel to the spindle and having an offset base engaging the flat area of the spindle to cause the dog and spindle to turn together, a split stirrup embracing the dog and spindle and serving to. maintain the engagement of the base of the dog with the spindle, and means on the spindle restraining the dog and the stirrup from movement along the spindle.

' 3. In a rotary switch, a flattened spindle, a driving dog substantiallyparallel to the spindle and having a base engaging the flat area of the spindle to rotate therewith, a split stirrup clamped upon said dog and flat area of the spindle to reinforce the dog and maintain the'engagement of its base with the spindle, and means on the spindle restraining the dog and the; stirrup from movement along the spindle.

4. In a rotary switch, a switch spindle havi g 'flattened po tio i S ders at e ends thereof, a driving dog substantially parallel to the spindle and'having a slotted portion providing a surface in driving engagement with said flattenedportion to cause the dog and spindle to turn together, a split stirrup having a fiat inner surface in engagement with said flattened portion to restrain 40 said stirrup from rotation relative to said spindle and having a portion resting over a portion of said dog and restrainingsaid dog from lateral movement away from said spine dle, said shoulders restraining said dog and sdziid stirrup from movement along said spin.

e. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GILBERT IV. GQODRIDGE. 

